Rafa expects transfer delay for Reds

21 May 2010 03:49

iverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits the World Cup is going to halt his plans for making early transfer deals this summer.

The Reds boss, who has now been linked with Inter Milan, committed his future to the Premier League side in a bid to restore order at Anfield after a turbulent season on and off the field.

The Merseysiders suffered their worst league finish since 1999, while monetary issues with the owners rumbled on throughout the campaign and has now resulted with the club being put up for sale.

Benitez, who has revealed he has a rough idea of how much he has to spend in the close season, confessed he will be unable to do dip into the market before the South Africa tournament meaning he faces the risk of paying inflated prices for some of his targets.

"We are working, we know the players but there is an added difficulty - the World Cup," Benitez, who has so far signed Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey, said while attending an event in Spain.

"It makes a lot of people wait. There are players who may have a smaller name but can increase their value.

"There are players who come with a big name and are very expensive. So we have to wait and I think the World Cup will determine the transfer market this year."

On his spending budget, the Spaniard added: "I have an idea and I think it's important to wait and do the right thing at the right moment."

Benitez, who is said have a frosty relationship with many of his Liverpool squad, has defended his management style.

"As a manager, you have to have a specific type of behaviour," he added.

"At times, you keep your distance but those who know you on a day-to-day basis and know your past, know you.

"From then on you can control more or less the image or the cliches that are created around you.

"I try to be respectful, with the media also - sometimes positive, sometimes not so much.

"But society works like this and what you have to do is to stick to your principles.

"Maybe in the world of football there are fewer people who analyse it, recognise it and value it.

"But, in the world of culture, in the university world, they value it and that's important."